Sunday, September 7, 2014

POTUS said on Meet the Press today the following: POTUS on Ebola on Meet the Press, 9/7/14: *Americans should not be concerned about prospects of contagion here in US, shortterm, because it is not airborne disease like the flu. *No public health infrastructure in Liberia/SL/Guinea. *What should be containable problem is breaking loose, because people aren't being quarantined properly, people aren't being trained properly, not enough public health workers. *We have to make this a national security priority. Mobilize international community, get resources in there, get US military assets just to set up isolation units and equipment, and provide security for public health workers surging from around the world. *If we do that, still going to be months before this problem is controllable in Africa. But it shouldn't reach our shores. *If we don't make that effort now, and this spreads, not just through Africa, but other parts of the world. There is the prospect the virus mutates, it becomes more easily transmittable. And then it could be serious danger to US. *This is example of where US leadership is important in dealing with crisis. But, also argument for when I go before Congress, and say let's give some public health aid to Liberia. Short term investments now, pay off in the future. It now remains to be seen what actually happens. The POTUS is getting beaten up in the polls and by the GOP for his inaction. He let the Left down by delaying action on immigration reform until after the November Congressional elections in a purely political cave-in. He is paralyzed in inaction on bombing ISIS in Syria and in doing nothing to stop Putin and the Russians from taking over part of Ukraine. He is having a bad summer. Yesterday, Mike Gerson contacted Francis Collins in the same manner that he had contacted me, asking Francis what he thinks should be done. Francis responded as I did that we should bring in the DoD for their Command, Control and Communications capability. Also, someone needs to be in charge. John Podesta (Counsellor to the POTUS) contacted Mike Gerson asking him what he thinks we should do. John was taken aback by Mike’s Post editorial the other day. Mike asking Francis/me who should be put in charge at the WH. I suggest any of the following: David Petraeus, Stanley McCrystal, Colin Powell, and Bill Frist. I doubt if they will choose any of these. They probably will ask Lisa Monaco – head of NSC. We really need a General. I believe that we are missing the boat. USA is missing an opportunity of saving many lives and coming across as the savior of West Africa, much like George W. Bush saved all of Africa with PEPFAR. Am getting e-mail from Jim Kim and Paul Farmer asking for my help/advice should they get more heavily involved.